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Possible Swiss Origins of some of the NC Seitz/Sides Families.
While it would appear that at least two of the earliest Seitz/Sides
families, (those of Johann Heinrich and Johan Adam Seitz) in NC have origins in German
Provinces, it may be possible that some of the other early families had origins in
Switzerland.
"During the year 1775, the Province of North Carolina, ever in the van of patriotic movements, formed 'Associations' throughout her territory, mainly as tests of patriotism. . . The county of Tryon (embracing Lincoln and Rutherford) formed a similar 'Association' on the 14th of August following [1775], which was signed by the 'Committee of Safety,' and ordered to be 'signed by every freeholder in the county.' Among the 48 signatures may be conspicuously noticed those of . . . Peter SIDES. . . One of the signers, Peter SIDES, (properly SEITZ) belonged to a family from Switzerland - all true Whigs, and worthy representatives of the land of William Tell."
The following is excerpted with permission from:
German Speaking People West of the Catawba River in North Carolina 1750 - 1800 and Some Émigrés’ Participation in the Early Settlement of Southeast Missouri. Compiler and Editor: Lorena Shell Eaker. 1994
Pg. 376
"In all historical records they are reputed to be of Swiss origin. The following record may have some bearing on the case. This was taken from pg. 61-2 of Lists of Swiss Emigrants in the Eighteenth Century to the American Colonies, Albert Berhardt FAUST and Gaius Marcus BRUMBAUGH (1925), published by the National Genealogical Society".
Pg. 377
No. 49. List of those Persons Who Have Gone from Time to Time from the Parish Knonau to Carolina and Pennsylvania.
To Carolina 1739
Heinrich WALDER, son of the assistant magistrate, deceased, aged 32 years. is said to have died on the journey.
Heinrich SYTZ, son of the village watchman, aged 34 years
Anna WALDER, his wife, aged 30 years
Heinrich SYTZ, Jr., brother of the above, aged 24 years
Caspar FRIK, son of Ulrich, age 31 years is said to have died.
Veronica HITZ, his wife, aged 32 years.
Anneli FRIK, their little daughter, aged 1 year, is also said to have died.
Johanes FRIK, brother of the above, aged 20 years.
Ursala FRIK, daughter of Caspar, aged 21 years.
Rudolf FRIK, son of Felix, deceased, from Utenberg, an estate in the parish of Knonau, aged 29 years.
Anna Barbara FRIK, daughter of Heinrich, from Utenberg, aged 24 years.
Left for Pennsylvania May 1, 1743
Leonhard WALDER, of Knonau, aged 37 years
Anna WEISS, his wife, aged 39 years
Their children:
Hanss Jacob, aged 16 years
Anna, aged 13 years
Hans Jacobli, aged 9 years
Dorotheli, ten weeks old
Elizabeth FRIK, daughter of Ulrich, aged 39 years.
Anna FRIK, her sister, aged 32 years.
Anna SYTZ, daughter of Heinrich, aged 21 years
Regula SYTZ, daughter of Heinrich, deceased, aged 30 years.
Anno 1744, April 1, at 9 o’clock at night there left secretly without the knowledge of the Honorable Governor or of the pastor
N.B. Barbara NIEHVERGELT, wife of Heinrich SYTZ, whose husband is still alive and 56 years old. She, his disloyal wife, is 43 years old.
Hanss Jacobli SYTZ, her 9 year old son.
This is attested by CHRISTOPHEL ZIEGLER, Pastor at Knonau.
Ship Lydia at Philadelphia 11 Dec 1739: Roderick FRICK, 30; Johannes FRICK, 19; Hendrick SEEDS, 28 (age incorrect), Hendrick SEEDS, Jr., 28; Casper FRICK, 30".
All previous historians have consistently written that the SEITZ families west of the Catawba were Swiss........".
In comparing the parish record from Knonau, and the names on the ship's list from the Lydia that arrived in Philadelphia on 11 Dec 1739, similar names are seen, and the year of arrival coincides with the record as well.
The Caspar Frick, age 30 that is mentioned on the ship's list could in fact be the same Caspar mentioned in the Knonau record, age 31, who is said to have died. (On board ship, or after his arrival?)
Both Henrick Seeds and Henrick Seeds Jr. could be Heinrich Sytz and Heinrich Sytz Jr. In the Knonau record their ages are 34 and 24, respectively, slightly different than the ages on the ship's list of ? and 28 respectively. ( I am under the impression that the age given for Henry Seeds Sr. was illegible on the ship's list perhaps, hence the comment "age incorrect" after his name. I have not seen a facsimile of the actual ship's list, so I can't say for sure).
It is difficult to say whether the Roderick Frick mentioned on the ship's list was in fact Rudolf Frick mentioned in the Knonau record. Perhaps an error on someone's part?
Mrs. Eaker then writes.....
"Note: I have no proof that these are the families west of the Catawba, nor could I find them after their arrival at Philadelphia. I did find other Seitz families in PA who were there before 1739 but could not tie them in with those west of the Catawba, either".
While there is no proof yet that any of these individuals eventually found their way to NC, it is interesting to note the following:
According to a Frick family researcher, Rudolph Frick, son of Felix Frick, was born 15 Sep 1709, Knonau, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. He married Veronica------ abt. 1749, and had Henry, Jacob, Mathias, and Anna Frick. This Rudolph Frick was also found in Bucks Co., PA records listed as "Roderick" Frick.
Henry Frick, was born abt. 1750 in Bucks, Co. Pa and died about Feb 1801 in Rowan Co. NC.
Jacob Frick, born abt. 1751 in Bucks Co. PA, died 27 Jan 1839 in Jonesboro, IL. He married Eva Elizabeth Earnhardt about Sep of 1788 in Rowan Co. NC
Mathias Frick, born 1760, Bucks Co. PA, died 16 Aug 1794, Rowan Co. NC. Married Rachel Caler/Keller on 16 Aug 1794, in Rowan Co. NC.
It would appear then that after some time in Bucks Co., PA, the children of Rudolph Frick found their way to NC.
Given the fact that members of the Frick family of Knonau Parish found their way to NC, could members of the Knonau Sytz family (with obvious ties to the Frick family) have found their way to NC as well?